Project Description: The project involves the subdivision of 18.11± acres into three lots thereby creating a 5.80± acre lot with a recently constructed single family dwelling on it (Lot 1), a vacant 4.88± acre lot (Lot 2), and a 7.43± acre lot (Lot 3). One new single family dwelling with on-site water supply and wastewater treatment systems is proposed for the two vacant lots (i.e., Lot 2 and Lot 3). The project also involves a boundary line adjustment, whereby a 0.11± acre parcel will be conveyed to an adjoining landowner and a 0.26± acre parcel will be conveyed to the applicant. Both parcels conveyed as boundary line adjustments will merge with the receiving parcel. The project was previously approved by Agency Permit 96-263 issued July 27, 1997, however, the permit expired before any of the lots were conveyed.

Project Description: The project is a major public utility use (i.e. telecommunications tower), a new structure over 40 ft. in height, a subdivision in a Resource Management land use area and road construction in and adjacent to wetlands. The project involves the construction of a 114 ft. tall telecommunications tower, a 10 ft. x 20 ft. equipment building, an equipment cabinet, GPS, chain link fence and related infrastructure on a 100 ft. x 100 ft. leased parcel. The project also involves the construction of an access road and the installation of underground utility lines within a 30 ft. wide, 1,200 ft. long easement. The tower is proposed to be a simulated tree tower. It will be located about 700 ft. east of the Pilot Knob Road at an elevation of 362 feet mean sea level. The applicants propose two sets of flush mounted three panel antenna arrays, one centered at a height of 112 ft. and the other centered at a height 107 ft. on the tower. The antennas will be 8 ft. long flat panel antennas.

Proposed Designation of Bird Conservation Areas

County: Essex and Niagara

Lead Agency: Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Project Title: Designation of portions of (1) Crown Point State Historic Site in Essex County and (2) Joseph Davis State Park in Niagara County as Bird Conservation Areas.

Brief Project Description: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is proposing designation of a new Bird Conservation Area (BCA) in accordance with Article 11 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL § 11-0539, 11-2001 and 11-2003). The BCA program provides a comprehensive, ecosystem approach to conserving birds and their habitats on state-owned lands and waters. It also provides for education and research opportunities related to birds and their habitats. Designation of a BCA will not affect existing recreational activities.

Legislative amendments to the BCA law enacted in summer 2002 require public notice of any proposed designations with a 30-day public comment period following publication of the notice. At this time, OPRHP proposes designation of portions of Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve in Richmond County as a new Bird Conservation Area. OPRHP and DEC have designated twenty-seven BCAs since the law was enacted in 1997.

The Crown Point BCA is approximately 234 acres and meets three of the criteria for designation in the BCA law. It is a migratory concentration site; a diverse species concentration site; and a bird research site. Over 180 species have been observed at Crown Point including 47 species of Neotropical migratory songbirds. High Peaks Audubon has been banding birds at the site for 27 years.

The Joseph Davis BCA is approximately 230 acres and meets three of the criteria for designation in the BCA law. It is a migratory concentration site; a diverse species concentration site; and a species at risk site. About two-thirds of the BCA is successional shrubland; species dependent on this habitat have shown dramatic declines in NYS. The upland forest along the Niagara River is important to migratory songbirds that use the river as a migration corridor during spring and fall.